“You have no concept of loss,” a grim-faced Pedro Pascal tells Bella Ramsey in a cinematic moment that flawlessly matched a video game. This was the highlight of the second extended teaser for The Last Of Us, a TV adaptation of the mega-hit PlayStation 3 game of the same name. Based on the few scenes that have been released, the series is promising, and its supporters are consequently excited.
It’s a perfect time for gamers to go to the theatres and binge-watch video game movies. In recent years, we have received a Mortal Kombat film, a Sonic The Hedgehog sequel, and a Halo television series, among others. There are still a number of video game-based film and television projects in development, ranging from an all-Japanese Ghost of Tsushima film to a Mario animation starring Chris Pratt.
The Last Of Us, which is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max in early 2023, is currently the most anticipated television series. This is due to the massive fan base for the 2013 game and the positive reception of the show’s sneak peeks thus far.
The Last Of Us contained an early drama element that was rare in the industry at the time. The familiar human relationships, the desperation to survive, and the murky morality of actions create a cinematic-like experience.
Given the story-driven aspect of the game, it is safe to conclude that there is ample material for a The Last Of Us television series. Moreover, certain emotionally potent gaming moments have the potential to evoke even stronger emotions in the live-action format. In this post, we have selected dramatic, film-friendly moments that, if done correctly, would fascinate audiences. Those who haven’t completed the game are obviously warned about potential spoilers.
Important “The Last Of Us” television series moments to watch out for
1. On a disastrous night, Joel loses everything.
Early in the game, a father-daughter moment establishes a nice tone, but it does not last. As night progresses, the frenzy surrounding the Cordyceps virus epidemic reaches its peak as afflicted patients begin their rampage. Soon, the protagonist Joel and his daughter Sarah are forced to abandon everything and flee for their lives.
After evading zombie-like hordes, Joel and Sarah encounter a military member with orders to shoot on sight any infection suspicions. When Joel attempts to avoid a bullet, Sarah is killed by a stray bullet, and his father loses all he holds dear. This is the conclusion of an overnight transformation in Joel’s life.
2. Joel & Tess hear about Ellie’s unique condition
It is difficult to make new friends when you discover that they have been harboring large secrets. In this scene, in which Joel and Tess learn Ellie’s unique illness, you can practically sense the rising uncertainty. Ellie believes she is immune to the effects of the infection, which include becoming a violent zombie. She tells all of this while Tess is holding her at gunpoint, heightening the tension surrounding this moment.
3. Tess confesses her sickness and makes a selfless sacrifice
When the trio discovers that the Fireflies tasked with transporting Ellie to a laboratory where her immunity may be used to make a vaccine are all dead, they are at a loss for what to do next. Tess advises that Joel take Ellie to his Firefly brother Tommy’s home, since he would know where to send her, since they are in a condition of disappointment and indecision.
But because Joel is hesitant and uncertain about this, Tess decides to offer him with the strongest case. She surprises everyone by revealing that her infected wound from the earlier encounter is already worse than what Ellie has had for weeks. As adversaries approach the location, Tess opts to fight to the death rather than transform into an infected zombie, giving Joel and Ellie time to escape. This is the final time we see her.
4. Just in time, Ellie saves Joel’s life and breaks her duck.
Occasionally, survival instinct reveals qualities that people previously believed they lacked. To Joel’s relief, Ellie experiences this self-discovery at the ideal moment and place. While separated from the girl, Joel is attacked by a hunter who attempts to drown him to death. This tense scenario rises like a crescendo until a thunderous explosion ends the conflict.
The following instant, we know that Joel narrowly escaped death due to Ellie disobeying his orders to remain still, grabbing a nearby rifle, and shooting the hunter. This is the first of Ellie’s numerous kills. A violent but justifiable act, it demonstrated that innocence is ephemeral in a world in a perpetual struggle for survival.
5. Sam becomes infected, while Henry loses the desire to live.
After Henry and Sam, members of the band Fireflies, join Joel and Ellie, the voyage improves for each of them. However, in The Last Of Us’s dismal world, good things do not last.
When Ellie goes to check on Sam one night, they engage in a profound dialogue about their greatest fear. During this warm and intimate scene, no one realized what was actually in the store. When he is once again alone, the youngster sits down, apparently distressed. To everyone’s dismay, he then shows his infection mark by rolling up his pant sleeve.
The following day, Sam begins to transform and assaults Ellie. Henry shoots the rifle right out of Joel’s frightened hands, stopping him from reacting, and heightening the sense of danger during this fight. Seconds later, Sam’s brother realizes what must be done and shoots his infected sibling to save the girl. Henry, devastated by his act, places the burden on Joel and threatens him before abruptly taking his own life.
6. Joel has a change of heart and remains with Ellie
Upon meeting his Firefly brother Tommy, Joel persuades him to accompany Ellie for the remainder of the voyage due to Tommy’s superior knowledge of the terrain. Ellie is extremely irritated at learning that Joel views her as a liability to be eliminated. Moreover, she abruptly departs the safe house on a reckless whim.
After a lengthy search, Joel catches up with Ellie, and they argue about the former’s intent. As Joel explains that proceeding with Tommy is for her own protection, she encourages him not to worry so much. She goes further by bringing up his daughter and implying that Sarah’s death does not mean he should be particularly protective of her.
Ellie’s statements elicit an angry response from Joel, who informs her that she has no concept of what loss truly entails. The girl says, “Everyone I cared about has died or abandoned me.” She adds that parting ways would increase her anxiety rather than decrease it. Although Ellie’s last journey appears to be with Tommy, a nice surprise leads to Joel deciding to accompany Ellie himself at the last minute.
7. Joel is gravely injured, leaving Ellie in a state of confusion.
After an attacker jumps on Joel, he and his companion engage in a struggle that results in their falling from a height. Unfortunately, our protagonist lands on a sharp metal protrusion, which pierces him and causes severe injuries. Players are obviously caught aback by this sudden and unanticipated occurrence. As long as the threat of the assailants remains, the situation becomes alarmingly dire.
At this moment, the game increases our fear on multiple levels. First, players begin to question Joel’s ability to survive. Second, real concern exists for Ellie’s well-being during Joel’s absence. Despite the toll this moment puts on the audience, the plot becomes even more intriguing as we anticipate the adolescent girl’s escape from this precarious situation.
8. Ellie kills David with a knife
While Joel continues to recover, Ellie encounters David, the head of the same group responsible for his fragile health. Soon after this cautious interaction, the situation escalates as the cult members pursue the couple’s hiding place. Following Ellie’s diversion of the group away from where she is holding Joel, a pursuit ensues. At the conclusion of this, David catches the girl and holds her captive.
The next scene’s violent and stomach-churning revelation appears out of nowhere. We discover that the cult is cannibalistic and that they may not have Ellie’s best interests at heart. After the girl rejects David’s invitation to join his group, he intends to subject her to the same fate as the cult’s other victims. Fortunately, Ellie escapes and makes a desperate attempt to save her life.
Ellie ultimately encounters David one-on-one, and they engage in a hide-and-seek game with fatal repercussions. The unavoidable frenzy of this level does not subside until the very finish. Just as it appears like David has regained control over the girl, she barely manages to seize his machete and attack. Ellie performs a cathartic act of angry wrath by repeatedly hacking the enemy to death.
9. Joel discovers the Fireflies’ true intentions for Ellie.
How far are you willing to go for the “better good”? This scenario reveals that Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, and Joel, a member of the band, have dramatically different viewpoints on the matter. Even after surviving a harrowing journey, our protagonist’s reprieve is brief as he discovers what the Fireflies have in store for Ellie.
To continue developing the Cordyceps vaccine, it would be necessary to sacrifice the girl’s life in surgery, as Marlene adamantly informs Joel. In an odd turn of events, the location where Joel intended to take Ellie becomes the most dangerous place on Earth for her. For the players who have accompanied the story to this point, this is a surprising turn of events that will likely transition well to the television series.
10. Joel’s sinless lie to Ellie
After the climactic carnage at the Fireflies’ headquarters, the two are back on the road, searching for a safehouse. Ellie, who was unconscious the entire time and does not know what transpired, then asks Joel about the happenings. At this stage, a credit to Naughty Dog’s flawless story-weaving, even the gamers share Ellie’s curiosity. Because, when Marlene confronts the protagonist near the end of the game, the game skips ahead and leaves us on a cliffhanger about how he handled that crucial moment.
We discover through Joel’s reminiscences that when Marlene tried to persuade him once more – as a final resort — to prevent him from returning Ellie, he shot and murdered the Firely leader. However, while explaining it to Ellie, he conceals the reality by claiming that they were no longer searching for a vaccine. He supported this allegation by falsely asserting that they already had other Cordyceps-immune individuals who could not assist with vaccine development.
Ellie is obviously not convinced and ponders the situation. She revisits the subject with Joel some time later. By recounting people she has lost to the virus, she indicates that she is awaiting her own demise. In response, the protagonist reassures Ellie that none of it is her fault and that she should struggle to survive rather than accept the awful situation. He continues, “Regardless. You continue to discover causes to fight for.”
Finally, she expresses questions about what Joel told her and requests a solemn affirmation from him that everything he said occurred. As a momentary moral dilemma goes through him, he abandons his integrity for a serene and blameless falsehood. He asserts to Ellie, “I swear”
Watch for The Last Day Of Us
On The Last Of Us Day, September 26, we will likely see more of The Last Of Us television series, ideally a trailer. The folks behind the project, including game designer Neil Druckmann and TV producer Craig Mazin, have been teasing potentially significant news while fans wait.
